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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

My wee boy starts Secondary School tomorrow - thread for all those whose who wonder where the years have gone!

47 replies

prettybird · 14/08/2012 17:49

Title says it all really.

Ds starts secondary school tomorrow. He's ready for it, we like the school he's going to, we've got just about everything (except a showerporof jacket to wear over his blazer for when it rains) - so why are my nerves jangling?! It's like waiting for an exam.

He did a trial run of his uniform yesterday. he looked so tall, slim (and good looking! Wink) in his uniform. He went into a majour and justified strop with me 'cos dh and I left the room so he could look at himself in the mirror without us embarrassing him and I sneaked back to see him doing just that Blush

I'm both excited and apprehensive on his behalf. :)

He won't admit to any nerves - but it will be interesting to see how he is tomorrow morning! Grin

OP posts:
amck5700 · 14/08/2012 18:10

Awww - I have the same next Wednesday. He asked me today if I could remember my first day at High School and I said I couldn't really but I could remember the night before feeling really nervous and excited at the same time and being so pleased with myself in my new uniform but that the day itself went past in a blur - (well we are talking 35 years ago!). I asked if he was nervous and he said no, just excited and wanting to see what he would be doing - so pleased for him. He's had a hard time at primary so is going to a different High School, just himself and his best friend from his class. I need to get him to try the uniform all on at once but I guess we wont get to see it either.

Hope your boy has a fab day tomorrow :)

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 18:14

I can remember walking to secondary school with my mum (it was in the next street from us): both new girls together, as she was starting work as a probationary teacher. :)

Like you, it was a loooong time ago ago (39 year ago!! Shock Blush)

A bit poignant, as she died earlier this year, well before her time. :(

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amck5700 · 14/08/2012 18:15

....and I have it all again next year with his little brother!

This will have you bubbling just like me....

amck5700 · 14/08/2012 18:16

sorry to hear that prettybird - maybe you shouldn't listen to the link then :(

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 18:38

That was lovely! Smile. And yes, it did have me blubbing, but in a positive way. Smile. That was my mum's era too.

My mum would have been so proud of ds and would have loved to share the moment.

OP posts:
amck5700 · 14/08/2012 18:43

she absolutely would have and I am sure he will do you and her proud tomorrow.

amck5700 · 14/08/2012 18:46

My boys have only really ever had my mum - OH's dad died before we were married and my dad died when No1 son was 3 months old, OH's mum died when the boys were toddlers. My mum is nearly 80, not local and doesn't travel anymore so we will get some nice photos next week so that she can share.

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 18:58

My dad is 75 and still very fit (they were cycling in India 5.5 years ago when she had the accident that ultimately led to her death!) so ds is fortunate in that respect.

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Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 20:29

All school clothes now have names written on them (none of the organised buying of iron-on labels at the start of primary school Hmm) and the rucksack has been packed in preparation for tomorrow.

He hasn't yet learnt how to tie a tie so I hope his doesn't get pull off Hmm.

OP posts:
amck5700 · 14/08/2012 21:06

Ive not written any names yet, but we have a week to teach him how to do his tie, the laces were bad enough!

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 21:16

Laces were 18 months ago. I got attitude yesterday cos I bought Velcro tab closing shoes from Tesco 'cos "I'm ok with laces now" so we had to go out and buy lace-up black shoes. For the first time, he has (semi) trendy ones bought from JD Sports, to which he volunteered to contribute £5. (They were the princely sum of £25)

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Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 21:18

....must remember to take those Velcro tab closing shoes back to Tesco! Grin

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amck5700 · 14/08/2012 21:22

He's been able to tie for a couple of years but struggles to get them tight. He has however picked velcro shoes, just hope he doesn't get a hard time. :(

amck5700 · 14/08/2012 21:36

He's been able to tie for a couple of years but struggles to get them tight. He has however picked velcro shoes, just hope he doesn't get a hard time. :(

aliportico · 14/08/2012 22:41

My son (home ed-ed up till now!) tried on a shirt this morning, and I gave him his first lesson on tying a tie. Then gulped and warned him that I might actually cry on his first day in September. Certainly didn't cry when his big sisters started school!

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 22:50

That's more practice that ds has been able to get! Grin. He asked for another lesson this evening, but I think the key thing tomorrow will be learning how to partially loosen it, take it over his head, put it back over his head and tighten it.

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CrocodileDundee · 14/08/2012 22:50

Ah Prettybird my Dd has her first day at high school tomorrow too. I'm an oldie name changer and I remember when our dcs started primary! aims

I fear I will shed a few tears in the morning, Dd looked so grown up and lovely when she tried her uniform on! She doesn't really know anyone at the school she is going to so has been really nervous tonight.

I'll join you tomorrow for a blub! Grin

thornrose · 14/08/2012 22:58

Aw, my dd starts on 5th September.

I am ordering Locklaces from Amazon for her PE trainers as she can't tie laces (AS). God knows what school shoes we are going to go for, it's hard with girls.

I need to source some white blouses with poppers as little buttons are a bit of a mare.

DD's dad died sadly and it breaks my heart to know he'll never see her in her high school uniform, it's such a big step.

amck5700 · 14/08/2012 23:00

......and I am hoping to not blub next week! - I'll see my gorgeous baby boy into P7 next Tuesday and my handsome big lad into First Year next Wednesday. I'll need a box of tissues I think!!

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 23:04

Although ds is a placing request for the school he is going to (placing requests are not that common in Scotland), there are three or four kids from his school going there (it is our next closest school) but more importantly, he has chums from rugby who are going there - and friends from rugby in the older years. So that is giving him a wee bit of reassurance.

It'll be interesting to see how he feels when he gets home tomorrow Hmm!!

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amck5700 · 14/08/2012 23:10

Ah that's good - my son is a placing request too and he'll have his friend and he made a couple of new friends at the transition events - he is usually really quiet tho so it will be interesting!! - you'll need to come back and let us know how it went...and everyone else who has someone starting, it would be good to here how the day went.

HairyPotter · 14/08/2012 23:17

Good luck for tomorrow Pretty I hope he enjoys it. Make sure you have tissues and camera to hand though. Will you wave him off at home or will he get a bus or a lift? Much easier to disguise tears at home I find. Blush

DD1 is going into S3 and my baby DD2 is in P5 Shock

Original poster
prettybird · 14/08/2012 23:29

He'll be walking from home - and he doesn't want company.

I'll be trying to take a picture before he leaves but he may resist as he will quite rightly suspect I'll put it up on facebook. Hmm

I've got a picture of his first day at school every year so far :) Last year it was with his bike - but he doesn't want to cycle tomorrow, even though it is a 20-25 minute walk. I suspect that may change!

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HairyPotter · 14/08/2012 23:36

I think a 25min walk twice a day would make me reconsider fairly quickly Grin

amck5700 · 14/08/2012 23:38

Hmmm - I would imagine your mum coming to collect you will totally destroy the street cred....my son wont be able to walk so he'll have to put up with his old mum coming to get him in the car......I suspect that I will shortly be given directions to some back street to pick him up!

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